The Russian medium-range ballistic missile system Oréshnik has officially entered service in Belarus, according to information from official Russian sources.
The deployment was marked with a solemn ceremony on Tuesday, where the flag of Russia’s strategic missile forces was raised on Belarusian territory.
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Before the system assumed combat readiness, the personnel participating in the operations underwent additional training. The preparations included specialists in launch, communications, security, power supply and mechanical drivers.
According to an officer quoted in the announcement, the personnel participate in daily and weekly combat training, in addition to tactical and tactical-specialized exercises, with the goal of maintaining operational readiness.
New generation missile system
The Oréshnik is described by the Russian authorities as a medium-range ballistic missile that can achieve hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 10, equivalent to around 3 kilometers per second. The estimated range of the system varies between 800 and 5,500 kilometers. According to official information, the destructive effect of a massive strike with this weapon could be comparable to a conventional nuclear attack, although the system can use non-nuclear warheads.
The first operational use of the Oréshnik was recorded on 21 November 2024, when the missile was reportedly used against the Ukrainian Yuzhmash industrial complex, one of the largest Soviet-era industrial centers. A few hours later, the President of Russia confirmed Vladimir Putin publicly the use of the new system in the operation.
On that occasion, Putin stated that the missile had been tested under real combat conditions, stressing that it is one of the most modern medium-range systems in the Russian Armed Forces, equipped with hypersonic technology and without a nuclear charge.
The president also declared that, according to Russian assessments, there are currently no effective means of intercepting this type of missile.
Context of the deployment in Belarus
Last December, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko formally asked Russia to deploy advanced weapons systems in the country, including the Oréshnik.
According to Lukashenko, the presence of these systems has a deterrent character, aimed at keeping potential external threats at bay.
The implementation of Oréshnik on Belarusian territory strengthens the military cooperation between Minsk and Moscow and takes place in a context of increased regional tensions in Eastern Europe.
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Source and images: Telegram @mod_russia. This content has been prepared with the help of KI and reviewed by the editors.
